User:TAnthony/Draft B
Dune: Prophecy is an American science fiction television series developed by Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker for HBO. Set in Frank Herbert's Dune universe, the series focuses on the origins of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful social, religious, and political force whose members possess superhuman powers and abilities after undergoing years of intense physical and mental conditioning. Dune: Prophecy is a prequel to the 2021 Denis Villeneuve film Dune, which adapts the first half the 1965 novel of the same name by Frank Herbert, and it takes place some 10,000 years before the events of the film. The series, which draws on, but is set after, the Great Schools of Dune novel trilogy (2012–2016) by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, is produced by Legendary Television, with Schapker serving as showrunner, writer, and executive producer.
The series stars Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen, leader of the Sisterhood; Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen, Valya's younger sister; Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart, an Imperial soldier; and Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino. The rest of the ensemble cast includes Jodhi May as Javicco's consort, Empress Natalya; Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as their daughter and heir, Princess Ynez-Arat; Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela, a Fremen servant; Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia, an acolyte of the Sisterhood; and Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides, a Swordmaster to a Great House.
Main
[edit]Valya Harkonnen
[edit]Valya Harkonnen, portrayed by Emily Watson, is the Mother Superior of the Sisterhood, a secretive, matriarchal order whose members undergo intense physical training and mental conditioning to obtain superhuman abilities.[1] In the series, she faces threats to the Sisterhood's plans for humanity.[2][3]
Watson's casting in the role was announced in October 2022.[4] In May 2024, Jessica Barden was cast as the younger version of Valya.[5]
Valya is introduced as a young woman in the 2012 novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.[6] She plots to rise within, and ultimately take control of, the fledgling Bene Gesserit, while galvanizing her siblings to help her visit Harkonnen vengeance on the bloodline of Vorian Atreides, who had brought their family to ruin 80 years before.[6]
Tula Harkonnen
[edit]Tula Harkonnen, portrayed by Olivia Williams, is Valya's younger sister and a Reverend Mother in the Sisterhood.[2] Showrunner Alison Schapker said, "Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen share a past and certain trauma, and have a dynamic that's very specific to that family. And there is a bit of an older sibling, younger sibling dynamic. There is a bit of that relatable older sibling driving things overtly, and younger sibling feeling maybe a bit diminished or in the shadow of."[2] Watson explained, "They both have secrets that they are bound together by their past and things that are really deeply, deeply and profoundly shocking that other people don't necessarily know about them. But also, Valya has always been the leader, she's always been the eldest who's brought Tula along with her. But Tula is the quiet one and is extremely surprising."[2]
In the series premiere "The Hidden Hand", young Tula Harkonnen has followed her elder sister and joined the Sisterhood on Wallach IX to escape her family's exile to a remote world. Thirty years later, Valya is Mother Superior, and with Tula at her side has grown the Sisterhood in size and power. Tula oversees the training of the Sisterhood's acolytes, and serves as Valya's closest advisor. While Valya dismisses the dire visions of Imperial Truthsayer Kasha Jinjo about the future of their incoming pupil, Princess Ynez-Arat, Tula urges her sister to consider them carefully.
Shirley Henderson was originally cast as Tula alongside Watson in October 2022,[4] but left the series during an extended production hiatus in February 2023.[7][8] The role of Tula was recast with Williams in June 2023.[7] Emma Canning was later cast as the younger version of Tula.[9]
Tula is introduced as a child in Sisterhood of Dune. In its 2014 sequel, Mentats of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, Valya oversees Tula's training with the Sisterhood. Having discovered direct descendants of Vorian Atreides living on the planet Caladan, Valya sends her younger sister, using the alias Tula Veil, to exact their revenge. Tula marries young Orry Atreides, and murders him on their wedding night.[6] In Navigators of Dune (2016), Tula is overcome with guilt over Orry, whom she had grown to love. She is hunted and nearly killed by Willem Atreides, Orry's brother, and Vorian himself. Valya captures Tula and tries to free her of any guilt or sympathy toward the Atreides, hoping she will next execute Willem and end the bloodline. Willem battles Tula, but stops short of killing her when she reveals she is carrying Orry's child.
Desmond Hart
[edit]Desmond Hart, portrayed by Travis Fimmel, is a mysterious, charismatic soldier in the Imperial army who seeks the trust of the Emperor, and emerges as an enemy to the Sisterhood.[10]
In "The Hidden Hand", renowned soldier Desmond Hart appears on the capital world of Salusa Secundus, having survived an attack on the Imperial mining operations on the desert planet Arrakis attributed to the native Fremen. He reveals to Emperor Javicco Corrino that the assault was in fact perpetrated by rebellious forces growing against him. Later, Javicco confides in Desmond that he is uneasy about the politically necessary betrothal of his daughter Princess Ynez to young Pruwet Richese, and would be relieved if it went away. Desmond finds Pruwet and explains that there is a "war in plain sight" in that the Sisterhood has unacceptable influence over the Imperium. Desmond confesses that he has been given a special power by his near-death experience on Arrakis. Apologetically, he psychically burns Pruwet to death, which simultaneously kills Imperial Truthsayer Kasha Jinjo as well.
Fimmel was cast as Desmond in November 2022.[10][11]
Empress Natalya
[edit]Empress Natalya, portrayed by Jodhi May,[7] is the consort of Emperor Javicco Corrino and mother to their daughter and heir, Princess Ynez. She is described as "a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor Corrino."[12]
In "The Hidden Hand", Natalya opposes the match orchestrated by Mother Superior Valya between Ynez and young nine-year-old Pruwet Richese. Natalya sees Valya's motivations being in the Sisterhood's interest, but by design, Javicco requires Richese ships to maintain his control of the Arrakis, only source of the all-important spice. She is frustrated that Javicco no longer heeds her advice like he used to, when she negotiated their marriage. At the engagement celebration, Natalya is horrified by Pruwet's possession of forbidden technology in the form of a robotic toy lizard, and his father Duke Ferdinand Richese's flippant acceptance of it. She angrily reminds the Duke that he only exists because the Corrinos defeated the thinking machines. Natalya is shocked speechless when Javicco declares he will ignore the transgression for the evening.
Indira Varma was originally cast as Natalya in October 2022.[12] In June 2023, May was cast to replace Varma, who exited the series due to scheduling conflicts after an extended production hiatus.[7]
Princess Ynez-Arat
[edit]Princess Ynez-Arat, portrayed by Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, is the daughter and heir of Emperor Javicco Corrino and Empress Natalya. She is described as "an independent young princess dealing with the pressures of her responsibility as heir to the Golden Lion Throne."[13]
In "The Hidden Hand", Princess Ynez is the heir to the Golden Lion Throne, training in swordplay under Corrino Swordmaster Kieran Atriedes, and preparing to enter the Sisterhood as an acolyte. Though Natalya dislikes both Ynez's betrothal to young Pruwet Richese and her daughter's plans to join the Sisterhood, Ynez sees these as being useful to her as the future Empress. During the engagement ceremony, Ynez tries to connect with her nine-year-old future husband, but scolds him harshly after his possession of forbidden technology is revealed. Close to her illegitimate half-brother, Constantine Corrino, Ynez joins him on a final night of partying before she leaves for Wallach IX, taking recreational drugs and having sex with Keiran.
Boussnina was cast as Ynez in October 2022.[13]
Lila
[edit]Lila, portrayed by Chloe Lea, is the youngest acolyte at the Sisterhood School, described as having "a deep empathy beyond her years."[13] Lila is one of the girls raised by the Sisterhood with no knowledge of their biological families so as to emphasize the importance of the Sisterhood in their lives.[2] Schapker explained:
[Lila] does think of the Sisterhood as her family, and it's all she's known. And Tula has very much been a mother figure to her. And on the other hand, she doesn't really have the full story of her origin. And there's a ritual that Lila is going to be asked to participate in that would unlock some of those answers for her, but at great risk. And so the question of who Lila is matters to the series, and how that plays out. Her desire to know those answers will very much affect how the story goes forward.[2]
In "The Hidden Hand", Lila is the favorite pupil of Tula Harkonnen, who notes that Lila is a "true empath" who needs to be nurtured, and that "given her lineage, she will be a natural born Truthsayer."
Lea was cast as Lila in October 2022.[13]
Keiran Atreides
[edit]Keiran Atreides, portrayed by Chris Mason, is the new Swordmaster of House Corrino.[14]
In "The Hidden Hand", Keiran has been tasked with training the future Empress, Princess Ynez, in swordplay. She is formally betrothed to nine-year-old Pruwet Richese, but her mother, Empress Natalya, has noticed Ynez's attraction to Keiran. On the eve of her departure to Wallach IX to be trained by the Sisterhood, Ynez and Keiran take recreational drugs and have sex.
Mason was cast as Keiran in December 2022.[14]
Mikaela
[edit]Mikaela, portrayed by Shalom Brune-Franklin, is described as "a strong-willed Fremen woman who serves the royal family while longing for a home planet she's never known."[13]
In "The Hidden Hand", Mikaela is a bartender at the nightclub where Princess Ynez and her illegitimate half-brother, Constantine Corrino, go on the eve of her departure to Wallach IX to be trained by the Sisterhood. Mikaela is acquainted with Keiran Atreides, who is also there and goes off with Ynez.
Brune-Franklin was cast as Mikaela in October 2022.[13]
Javicco Corrino
[edit]Javicco Corrino, portrayed by Mark Strong, is the Emperor of the Known Universe. He is described as "a man from a great line of war-time Emperors, who is called upon to govern the Imperium and manage a fragile peace."[14]
Strong was cast as Javicco in December 2022.[14]
Young Javicco is introduced as a child in Mentats of Dune, and is a supporting character in Navigators of Dune. He is the young son and heir of Roderick Corrino, who becomes emperor when his brother, Emperor Salvador Corrino, is assassinated.
Theodosia
[edit]- Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia, "a talented and ambitious acolyte at the Sisterhood who harbors a dangerous secret about her past."[14]
Sister Theodosia’s origins are similarly murky. “You don't necessarily understand what the situation is yet, but Theodosia's circumstances are very unique, and she has come as an outcast from a very difficult, desperate past to the Sisterhood in a little bit in the same way that Valya did,” Watson said. “Valya kind of has recognized her as having the same kind of drive and almost it's as if really damaged people are very, very good candidates for this kind of devotion or drive that it needs to be a really, really good Bene Gesserit.”[2]
- Anouka was cast as Theodosia in December 2022.[14]
Harrow Harkonnen
[edit]- Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen, a "rising politician from a once-great family, who harbors a strong desire to elevate his House to its former glory."[15]
Constantine Corrino
[edit]- Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino, the illegitimate son of Javicco who is "torn between seeking his father's approval and his own happiness."[15]
Jen
[edit]- Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen, "a fierce, unpredictable acolyte in training at the Sisterhood School who rarely reveals her emotional core."[13]
Emeline
[edit]- Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline, "a zealous acolyte descended from a long line of martyrs, who carries fervent religion to her training at the Sisterhood."[13]
Recurring
[edit]- Tabu as Sister Francesca, a powerful Bene Gesserit and the Emperor's former lover, whose return to the palace "strains the balance of power in the capital."[16]
- Charithra Chandran as Young Francesca, whose early life and romance with the Emperor are seen in flashbacks.[17]
Guest
[edit]Kasha Jinjo
[edit]- Jihae as Reverend Mother Kasha Jinjo, the Emperor's Truthsayer, whose loyalty to the Sisterhood is challenged.[18]
Dorotea
[edit]- Camilla Beeput as Reverend Mother Dorotea[9]
Raquella Berto-Anirul
[edit]- Cathy Tyson as Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul[9]
House Richese
[edit]- Duke Ferdinand Richese, portrayed by Brendan Cowell
- Pruwet Richese, portrayed by Charlie Hodson-Prior[9]
References
[edit]- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Piccoli, Sean (October 17, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Gets Max Premiere Date, Unveils Official Trailer at NYCC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Vejvoda, Jim (November 8, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Explained: A Revenge Saga Set 10,000 Years Before Paul Atreides". IGN. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Hibberd, James (May 15, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Teaser Trailer Released by Max". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Otterson, Joe (October 4, 2022). "Dune Prequel Series at HBO Max Casts Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson". Variety. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (May 15, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Casts End of the F—ing World Star Jessica Barden". Variety. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c Bardini, Julio (May 19, 2024). "Who Is Valya Harkonnen in Dune: Prophecy?". Collider. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cordero, Rosy (June 30, 2023). "Dune: The Sisterhood: Olivia Williams & Jodhi May Join Max Series in Recastings as Anna Foerster Boards as New Director". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy; Andreeva, Nellie (February 28, 2023). "Dune: The Sisterhood: Director Johan Renck & Star Shirley Henderson Exit HBO Max Series Amid Creative Overhaul & Production Hiatus". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e O'Keefe, Meghan (November 11, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Review: HBO's Lavish New Sci-Fi Drama Gives Dune Back to the Herbert Heads". Decider. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Otterson, Joe (November 8, 2022). "Dune Prequel Series at HBO Max Casts Travis Fimmel". Variety. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 9, 2022). "Travis Fimmel To Star In Dune: The Sisterhood HBO Max Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (October 13, 2022). "Dune: The Sisterhood: Game of Thrones & Obi-Wan Star Indira Varma Joins HBO Max & Legendary Prequel Series as Empress Natalya". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Petski, Denise (October 20, 2022). "Dune: The Sisterhood: Sarah-Sofie Boussnina Among 5 Cast in HBO Max Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Otterson, Joe (December 1, 2022). "Dune Prequel Series at HBO Max Adds Mark Strong, Jade Anouka, Chris Mason". Variety. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
heustonwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
tabuwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Pandya, Sonal (October 2, 2024). "Dune Prophecy First Look Pic: Charithra Chandran Plays Young Tabu in Sci-Fi Prequel Series". Times Now. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
jihaewas invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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